Can the clock of life be turned backwards? How I wish God could do that so I’ll still remain in childhood. If I were Adam, I wouldn’t have consent to the pleas of Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. If I were Joshua, I will command the sun to stand still for three days and if I were Elijah, a word from me will cease the rains from falling for hundred years. Jezebel would have died by fire. I wish I were Jesus to turn water into wine and probably walk on water. I wish I was a king like Josiah. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego will have being my friends so I could experience the torture of the fire. Talk about marriage, I would have had more women than King Solomon had. I remember my favourite movie, ‘the head of Medusa’ and I prayed that God will make me like a giant so I could intimidate everyone around me. These are but a tip of the iceberg. From the days I can remember, childish thoughts like these run through my mind but through it all, the Lord has protected me, inscribed me on HIS palms and loved me more than I could imagine.

Unforgotten years of childish and childlike thoughts and actions; these were probably the best seasons of my lives. It felt good to be a child. Oh! How I wish I am still a child. Did I think when I was a child? No, I will leap before looking. Thoughts were pure, ideas were sacred, attitudes were uncontaminated, fun was very plentiful and all hurts seemed to mend. Any place seemed to me the right place. There were no thoughts of good and evil. I always thought my parents were the best in the world. How funny! But was it true?

As dependent as I was, I not only accepted with pleasure whatever came my way, but also maintained an attitude of enthusiasm, impatience, and thoughtful curiosity. This is the time I learnt things without analysing their content. I was not taught things consciously but I got interested in things that involved pictures, sounds and actions.

Responsibility was out of my dictionary. Right was my most liked word. How could you refuse to give me what I knew I should have? I could fight the bad guys every now and then and never show my fear or regret. I was a child with trials, with frailties from my birth but I never felt like I was of lesser worth to anybody. At least I understood from my Sunday school teacher that God loves me no matter what.

I was most vulnerable but feared no fire until I was scotched by it. I feared no water until I experienced a little drowning. I feared no pits until I fell into one. I feared nobody until they beat me up.

I learnt only what I was taught and lived only that which I learnt. I felt like I was in heaven any time I saw someone’s life lived for Christ. Heaven was just a step ahead of me. I knew one day I will meet them in heaven. Those lives shaped me competently, trained me righteously and loved me lastingly. I felt good to see Jesus in such lives.

Who really understood me? I couldn’t express my thoughts clearly. I made sounds without words. When adults spook, I hardly understood them. When I cried, people always thought I needed food. When I smiled, they thought I was in a happy mood. Who could tell what was in my mind? When I acted beyond my age, the Ghanaians around me said, ‘this is a resurrected ancestor’. A white man would say, ‘this is a talented child’. How funny!

When I had turned six, Mama took me to primary school. On the way, one woman told me, “Learn hard so that you will go to the University one day”. My class one teacher was good and could easily identify with my frailties. The class two mistress was rather mean and she often was cruel. I hated her because she will always punish me for being a talkative in class. Just at the end of my second year in primary school, I learnt she was my auntie. But was that a coincidence or she was just cruel? The class I enjoyed most was class three. The mistress tapped the potential in me. I received something, a congratulations note from her which said, “Keep it up.” For the first time, I was the best overall student in class. I have walked in this realisation till now.

Still more to tell you! How could I finish without talking about my mother? The love received from her was the most cherished. I can easily ‘pee’ on my mum’s lap but not on daddy. My midnight cries were disturbing but mum took them in good faith.

Oh! How happy I was seeing from the side of potential, purpose and possibilities despite all my weaknesses. And through it all, God has been so gracious to me. By letting me know that all things work together for good, to them that love God and are the called according to HIS purpose. He has made me remember, “The Best Time In My Life.” Childhood!!!

I better get back to reality, with responsibility and work. There is more to life than what lies behind me. Anna Leticia Warring said, “Green pastures are before me which yet I have not seen, bright skies will soon be o’er me where the dark clouds have being. My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free. My savior has my treasure and He will walk with me”. See you at the top.

donsprakels@yahoo.com

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW